Should there be a citizenship test administered to everybody at age 18? to include persons born in the United States?

SSG Jason Cherry — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 00:22:03 -0400

In another conversation about language requirements, a point was brought up many times about our own people who cannot speak, read, or write in English. Aside from that, our own populace cannot tell you anything about our history, government, or anything else pertinent to the citizenship test given for naturalization? Why do we hold immigrants to a higher standard of education than our own?

Please leave your thoughts, I feel like this will be a great discussion.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2014 12:24 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 00:24:48 -0400

No but it should be part of high school curriculum

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2014 12:41 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 00:41:25 -0400

I don't know that it wouldn't be a bad thing. It's interesting to watch as a fellow veteran / servicemember studying for their citizenship test. The citizen-to-be is stumped on a question so they naturally turn to an American born in the U.S. only to have the citizen born in the country not only not know the answer, but doesn't know where to get the correct answer!

If we are going to expect our newest citizens to be able to answer these questions - then every natural born American should also!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2014 12:54 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 00:54:33 -0400

I see the US moving toward a Oligarchy government. It is only a matter of time when our government will not be able to sustain itself. The benefits an citizen will have to be earned and not handed out. If one is not willing to offer themselves for the betterment of the nation they will be viewed as a burden. If you are a Non-citizen you will be severely limited and lack some of the basic functions of government. Something like the movie Elysium. This was also the base form of government in Star Ship Troopers. You were not even allowed to have children in that movie without being a citizen. One of the characters joined the military to become a citizen in order to have children. I don't believe that the ruling class will want to do this but it will be the only way to preserve what will be left.

You want to see the start of this. Look no further than Detroit. If you are well off or affluent member of the city your way of life is drastically different from those in the lower income areas.

Response by TSgt Michael Williamson made Nov 2 at 2014 12:06 PM

TSgt Michael Williamson — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:06:44 -0500

Well, I had to, but I'm an immigrant. It often seems I understand the Constitution better than native born Americans, who think it's an inconvenience that gets in the way of their ideals.

Response by SPC Cedar Bristol made Nov 4 at 2014 7:46 PM

SPC Cedar Bristol — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 19:46:47 -0500

Citizenship should not be considered a right, it should be something chosen and earned. I wouldn't go anywhere near as far as Heinlen and require military service for it, but a test on the constitution would be a good idea. And states could have them as well.

I would remove all restrictions on coming here, living here and working here for everyone. We had our best years of economic growth in the late 19th century when there were no quotas, and no controls on immigration, but that is a separate issue.

The essential, is that voting should not be treated as a right.

This is not one of the first reforms I would advocate, there are a long list of things to be fixed that I would place ahead of this

Response by LT Clint Davis made Dec 3 at 2014 1:25 PM

LT Clint Davis — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 13:25:45 -0500

Yup!!!! I think that there absolutely should be a a test that holds citizens to the same standards as those immigrating and applying for citizenship!

North Dakota seems to like the idea!

North Dakota unveils proposal requiring high school students to pass U.S. citizenship test to...

A bill before North Dakota state legislators looks to requires high school students to take the same test that immigrants must pass to become a U.S. citizen.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Dec 3 at 2014 1:40 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 13:40:27 -0500

Although I think people should certainly know basic information about our country and its history, I am not sure requiring a test at age 18 would accomplish anything. What is the penalty for failing the test? Without a standard and a penalty for not meeting it, what's the point? Maybe it should be required to get a driver's license or to be registered to vote. Of course, that would be regarded in our PC world as voter suppression or something. If we can't require folks to show ID to vote, how can we make them take a test?

Coincidently, I read an article today or yesterday that said that a high school (can't remember where) was making the passing of the test that all prospective citizens have to take a requirement for graduation. Right on...

All one has to do is look at program segments of "Water's World" on Bill O'Reilly's Factor (Fox News) to see just how little seemingly smart people know about our country, our history, political system, world affairs, etc. It is scary... Soldiers studying for the "current events" questions on promotion boards (if they still do that) know much more than the average citizen at that point in time.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 2:21 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 14:21:51 -0500

I volunteer locally at the Literacy Council of Alaska which assists illiterate Natives and also provides tutoring to immigrants who want to improve their reading and writing. Every Wed evening is a Citizenship class to prep immigrants for their naturalization exam. I LOVE going over US History and the timelines from first exploration to gaining independence and signing our constitution, from colonization to becoming our own sovereign nation. We also go through all the painful events and sacrifices made to ensure liberty, equality and freedom and the many mistakes we made along the journey. Any American who took US history in 10th grade will know the events and timelines, so I don't see making this exam a requirement to graduate high school. If you don't know what the Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclamation, and US Constitution is, shame on you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 8:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 08:37:29 -0400

Yes, I took the test and missed one question; however, I assure you that persons born in the United States will FAIL the Naturalization Citizenship Test, especially on subjects like: History and the US Constitution